Context:

• The state government of Haryana has recently notified 16 key services under the Right to Service (RTS) Act, enhancing the framework for efficient service delivery to citizens.

Key Points:

• This decision aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to promote transparency and accountability in public service provision.

Right to Service Act

• The Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014 (HRTS Act) was enacted with the primary objective of ensuring time-bound delivery of services across various government departments.
• Initially promulgated as an ordinance in December 2013, it was later formalized into law in March 2014. The Act empowers citizens to seek timely services from government departments, thereby fostering a culture of accountability and responsiveness within the administrative framework.
• Since its inception, the HRTS Act has expanded significantly. As of July 2021, it covered 531 services across 37 departments, and by June 2023, this number had risen to 640 services.
• The Act establishes a structured grievance redressal mechanism through the Haryana Right to Service Commission (HRTSC), which oversees compliance and addresses citizen complaints regarding service delays.

Key features of the newly notified services

The recent notification of 16 key services under the HRTS Act includes critical areas that directly affect citizens' daily lives. These services are designed to streamline processes and reduce bureaucratic delays. Some of these key services include:

• Issuance of birth and death certificates
• Property registration
• Driving License issuance
• Pension services
• Ration card services

These services have been selected based on their frequent demand and their impact on citizens' welfare. The move aims to simplify access and ensure that citizens receive necessary documentation and support without undue delay.

Haryana Right to Service Commission (HRTSC)

• The Haryana Right to Service Commission (HRTSC) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effective implementation of the Haryana Right to Service Act. This legislation was introduced to streamline service delivery across various government departments, promoting transparency, accountability, and timely access to services for citizens.
• The Haryana Right to Service Act was enacted following the promulgation of the Haryana Right to Service Ordinance on December 16, 2013. It was officially notified on March 26, 2014, and established a framework for the timely delivery of government services.
•  The Haryana Right to Service Commission was constituted on July 31, 2014, as a statutory body with the mandate to oversee the implementation of this act.

Objectives and functions

The primary objective of the HRTSC is to empower citizens by ensuring that they receive services within specified time limits. The Commission has several key functions:

• Service delivery oversight: It can take suo moto notice of failures in service delivery and refer cases to grievance redressal authorities.
   
• Inspections and recommendations: The Commission conducts inspections of government offices and can recommend departmental actions against officials who fail to comply with service delivery standards.
   
• Penalties and compensation: It has the authority to impose penalties on designated officers up to ?20,000 and grant compensation of up to ?5,000 to affected individuals.